Miserablism

The Pursuit of Happiness

24 February 2007

A LOAD OF GARBAGE

"The Boston City Council welcomes public participation either through
direct contact with the Council offices or through testimony at
public hearings of the various City Council committees. We hope that the information below will provide you
with information about how to have your voice heard on your issues of
concern."- City of Boston, City Council Website

After 23 days, City Council President Maureen Feeney finally found time in her busy schedule to have some low-level, tax-funded assistant answer my questions. Sort of. Although I made a series of direct inquiries, none were actually addressed and I was referred to the officials at Code Enforcement for clarification on the issue (note numerous spelling errors):

I write on behalf of Council President Feeney who asked that
I share with you her perspective on the proposal to collect outstanding fees
for trash violations. I apolagize for the delay in responding to your
message.

This issue is a critical one for many of our city’s
neighborhoods. Repeat offenders, many of whom are responsible for the
bulk of these violations, have plagued some of our densest neighborhoods with
overflowing trash. This leads to serious concerns for public health, such
as asthma, and invites the possibility of rodent infestation. The Council
President supports any effort, including the one she discussed with Emily
Rooney, to exercise the cities responsibility to protect its residents from these
quality of life hazards. Using the web as a resource to encourage violators
to abide by the law in the interest of the public good is a reasonable
proposal. I applaud my colleague, Councillor Mike Ross, for his
leadership on this issue.

As to some of your specific questions, I would encourage you
to contact officials from Code Enforcement who might be best suited to answer
your questions.

Thank you.

Justin Holmes

Chief of Policy and Communications

Huh? If a local voter can't even get a response from one of the lowest elected officials on the political totem pole when he tries to have his voice heard (in a small city like Boston, none the less), what hope is there an a state or national scale?

I will respond by requesting a meeting with Herself. I would like to get a clear understanding of exactly how this trash program will be enacted and at what cost to tax payers. However, I am more concerned with the total lack of commitment and communication I am receiving.

Meanwhile, our city council is wasting time condemning the U.S. presence in the Middle East and the Iraq War. Listen up Mr. Turner and Ms. Feeney: We pay QUALIFIED officials to do that! Not lowly district councilors!